The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-11-13
DOING YELL IN BUFFALO,
Tho Pioneer Association Pays 4 Per Cent.
Dividends. Rnd 10 Extending Its Lines.

|
| Dividends, md 10 Extending Its Lines
| BUFFALO, Nov. 9-Cooperation in Buffalo
according to the Rochdale system. has been
tried but twice within the last fifteen years
| The first time 1t proved a monumental failure
and in the last and present case it is a positive
and increasing success. Particulars of the first
attempt are not ensily obtainable. but those
who remember 1t say that fifteen years ago q
cooperative store was started on Ellicott street
which at first WAS successful. There were
good many stockholders, but as the dividends
increased the larger ones bought UP the
shares Of the poorer men. and before long all
real cooperation was wiped out OF the concern.
1t became Joint stock company, and event.
ually gave up the ghost. the failure being due
to incompetent management.
The next attempt was made two and half
years ago by number OF workingmen who
had become acquainted through the trades
unions and similar bodies. James Johnson. q
painter. the present President. Charles A.
Stiemke. a German editor. w. II. Hobbs. Jew
eller. J. A. Ronayne. the State Committeeman
Of the Henry George party. s. N. Peck. A..
Judge, Eli Ritter. L. 8. Hedges, Charles A.
Waldow. and a few others were the organ
Tiers. Slow progress was made at first. and
several times 1t seemed that failure was bound
to come before the capital on which to begin
could be raised. They were determined men.
however and left nothing undone. They used
the newspapers. as the city editors OF all OF
them know. II the Pioneer Cooperative Soci-
ETY. did anything, or purposed doing anything,
some member saw that every paper knew
something about 1t. The organization grew
until instead OF news about 1t being re-
luctantly printed. reporters were sent to the
meetings.
Nine months 400 n store VIVA onaned IN San
eca street, near Michigan, and to-day it is in
successful operation. The store is bright.
tables, and provisions is varied. we'll assorted
and fresh. and big business is done. The
Eeod aes he Il A ce @
to assume his. present duties. There are en-
ployed two clerks. two cashiers, and one deliy-
one share is Issued to person and that is val
ued t at s25i ,,, Each member q family can have
rate OF twenty-five cents week. Fines are
charged for non-payment OF dues, and when
these wipe out the sums already paid the mem
The profits, are thus distributed: Ten per
cent goes to the educational fund. 10 per cent.
a1 to
and the, remaining 70 per cent among the
ssssd%Ssr ana business nra
1864 was made. The purchasers who are
members get so per cent. of the profits. Or
they collect dividends at the end OF every six
months. on July 1 last q dividend, Of por
cent; was paid, No credit 10 given attAe store.
TO what do you attribute the success OF
the store Z" was asked OF Supt Stiemke.
To the fact that everything is done In O
business like manner. that there Is perfect
harmony In the organization. and that the
Workingmen here are alive to their interests.
enc Soea
monious. and our members patronize us. Tho
general trade is good. Suppose an outsider
year. he got $3.50, K member would have re-
eelved tlis and his 20 por cent. additional.
10 tho success or the store they should be en-
couraged to keep right on. We propose to
establish moro stores soon and also to en-
bark In productive cooperation. 1t has not
been determined what branches of industry
will be adopted, but We have the capital to go
ahead. We publish o monthly paper. the PiO-
peer Co6perdtor. In the interest OF the society.
I tell you that we arc booming"
e ora We ssS d hS sS5s PSs S %S5ss
some goods with varying 8ucoe6A Last year